Setting up your small business can be hard, but leading your small business to success is even harder. Remember any business is as good as the leader leading it. Here are 5 inspirational quotes on leadership and leading your small business.

“In the simplest terms, a leader is one who knows where he wants to go, and gets up and goes.”

– John Erskine, author

A leader is one who has full faith in themselves and in their decisions. This self-confidence inspires others to follow. It’s important to assess your decision carefully, but once you’ve made it, start executing.

“The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and the self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”

-Theodore Roosevelt

Hiring can be hard, but it’s one of the most important decisions a small business owner can make. If you hire the right person for the right position, you’ll see your business improve in ways you had never thought about. Alongside hiring someone great for the job, you have to have faith in your decision. Get them aligned with your vision, then let them go and do their work. You’ll be amazed by the results, and you’ll see them come up with ideas you never would have come up by yourself.

“Do you know that one of the great problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas?”

-Margaret Thatcher

When it comes to your business, you need to keep your emotions to one side. Too often, we negate our employees ideas because we feel our ideas are better, and it becomes a source of pride for us. Too often as the leader, we let our own emotions get in the way of a good idea.

“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.”

-Colin Powell

Every business has its ups and downs and problems to deal with. A great leader is always someone who can face these problems head on and keep a calm head on their shoulders so they can think of a simplified solution. Pay attention to the ideas and thoughts presented, then make a clear decision with action steps. Then move forward from there.

“There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss. Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience; a leader earns his authority through understanding and trust.”

– Klaus Balkenhol

The number one thing a great leader does is listen. When you’re talking with them, don’t think about the next thing you’re going to say. Focus on what they’re saying, repeat it back to them, make them feel heard. If the people you lead feel like they’re listened to, they’ll feel understood and they’ll trust you. Always remember to listen.

If you have any other quotes you liked recently, or would like to see some of my favorite ones as I find them, you can reach me on twitter here or leave a comment below.

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California loans made pursuant to the California Financing Law, Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Finance Code. All such loans made through Lendio Partners, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lendio, Inc. and a licensed finance lender/broker, California Financing Law License No. 60DBO-44694.